Sheikh Invasion: DIC Back In For Reds

According to The Sun, Reds co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are now mulling over a re-submitted £500million bid from Dubai International Capital (DIC).

The Americans took control at Anfield in February 2007 and their reign started brightly enough with the promise of a new stadium and the record purchase of Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid.

However, things soon turned sour.

The stadium plans have stalled and the investment in the transfer market has plateaued. Relations between the co-owners and manager Rafael Benitez are terse at best, while the majority of the club's supporters are determined to see the Yanks booted out. And with the credit crunch severely limiting the opportunity for profit, Hicks and Gillett are supposedly seeking an escape route.

Enter Sheikh Mohammed - Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, seventh richest man in the world and perhaps the answer to Liverpool's prayers.

The recent takeover of Manchester City by the Abu Dhabi United Group, and their subsequent £32million purchase of Brazilian star Robinho, has added a whole new threat to the upper echelon of the Premier League.

The Reds have been hanging on desperately to their top-four spot over the past few years, failing to properly challenge for the title while flirting dangerously with the UEFA Cup slots.

Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham are already knocking at the door, and with City now willing to spend any amount necessary to reach the top, the Merseyside giants will struggle to compete on the transfer front.

Hence, with Hicks and Gillett in a weak position, the Sheikh's DIC firm are ready to seize control of the club they have been eyeing for the best part of two years.

This news, if proven accurate, will no doubt delight both Benitez and much of the Liverpool fanbase.

Mike Maguire